Abuja: The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has raised alarms over the staggering number of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Nigeria, numbering five million, as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. Dr. Dauda Garuba, Director of CDD-West Africa, emphasized this concern during the introduction of the new Chair of the CDD Election Analysis Centre (EAC) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Garuba stressed that the uncollected PVCs represent a significant issue that could potentially disenfranchise millions of citizens in the upcoming elections, thereby affecting both participation and legitimacy. He highlighted the need for immediate actions to ensure the credibility of forthcoming elections, including the Anambra off-cycle governorship election and various by-elections leading up to 2027.
Garuba called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance its technological infrastructure, logistics, and voter outreach strategies. He proposed a coordinated national campaign for PVC collection, with decentralized collection points and targeted voter education efforts. He also urged security agencies to deploy personnel with neutrality and professionalism, and for political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns, eschewing vote buying and electoral violence.
The director emphasized the role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in maintaining monitoring efforts, amplifying citizen voices, and holding authorities accountable. He encouraged citizens to resist inducement and reclaim the power of their votes, noting the critical nature of the 2027 elections for Nigeria’s democratic future.
Speaking on the appointment of the new Chair of CDD-West Africa’s Election Analysis Centre, Garuba announced that Prof. Victor Adetula would succeed Professor Adele Jinadu, who chaired the EAC for approximately 14 years. Adetula brings extensive experience in democracy, governance, peace, conflict, and international relations, and has been assured of CDD’s support in his new role.
In response, Adetula expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged the significant responsibility of his new position. He remarked on the importance of expanding priorities beyond traditional electoral monitoring to include transparent, evidence-based electoral analysis and addressing factors that could compromise electoral integrity. Adetula also highlighted the commitment to nurturing the next generation of electoral analysts to effectively tackle challenges and propose solutions.